religious trauma – Midwest Mimi

The Same Girl Either Way

A personal essay about homeschool culture, girlhood, faith, rebellion, and learning that someone else’s narrow idea of a “godly girl” did not get to define who I was.

May 23, 2026

You Cannot Lose What Was Taken: Purity Culture, Abuse, and the Silence That Followed

Purity culture taught many survivors that something taken from them by force made them “damaged.” This essay reframes purity, consent, and shame, and explains why silence protects harm, not holiness.

February 14, 2026

When My World Turned Purple: Faith, Queerness, and Learning to Live Honestly

For years, my world looked red. Red meant rules, faith, and safety. Then everything I did “right” still fell apart. This is the story of how grief led me through rebellion, survival, and finally into a life that fits who I truly am.

February 11, 2026